In the frozen depths of winter, murderous winds mercilessly batter the crumbling Priory of Cymer. Within, trapped by their duty and the heaped snowdrifts that render travel near impossible, the few remaining faithful huddle together and tend the sacred places of their forebears. With the weather worsening, nerves fray and tempers snap as the wind howls its mournful dirge for the priory’s forgotten dead and lost souls. But the worst is yet to come. One of those trapped within holds a murderous grudge that only blood can expunge, and as the storm reaches its savage height, terrible revenge is wrought amid the frigid halls and crumbling glories of a fading faith.

An adventure for 1st-level characters set on the Lonely Coast by Creighton Broadhurst.

Running Retribution

Retribution’s default setting is the Lonely Coast but the adventure is designed to be easily inserted into almost any campaign. Thus, while the adventure locale is richly detailed, the surrounding area (a range of heavily forested, sparsely populated hills) is only vaguely defined. The priory itself stands upon a lonely cave-riddled cliff; its only link to civilisation a single track leading to the nearby village.

Similarly, Retribution’s plot does not rely on world-shattering events either past or present, famous personages or a particular kingdom or group. Rather—at its heart—it is a struggle between two diametrically opposed religions. These two powers—Darlen and Braal—oversee relatively generic portfolios allowing you to easily substitute suitable deities from your own campaign.

• Braal: NE lesser god of hate, malice and revenge

• Darlen: LG god of law, order, justice and the sun.

Finally, during the adventure heavy snowfall cuts off the priory. However, you can easily substitute the snow for a sandstorm, thunderstorm or flood, as appropriate.

About This Edition

Retribution was originally published for Pathfinder 1st edition in 2010. This is the third edition of the adventure; it benefits from new maps and art as well as a better, easier to use layout and another substantial development pass.

Praise for the Original Edition

"A fantasy roleplaying campaign can always use spooky, atmospheric low-level adventures, and RETRIBUTION is a solid, useful foray. It's "old school" in the best sense of that term: the adventure, its setting, its characters, and its new elements have all been carefully and lovingly detailed and thought through. The result is truly ready-to-use, and its elements lend themselves to easy re-use in an ongoing campaign. Recommended.”

–Ed Greenwood, creator of the Forgotten Realms

“A gripping gothic yarn. Retribution is one part classic pulp, one part Name of the Rose, and all around a compelling narrative with exciting encounters and absorbing NPCs. It will no doubt leave a lasting impression on every adventurer who dares winter on the Lonely Coast.”

–Stephen Radney-MacFarland

“Retribution ranks among the best first level adventures I've ever read. It's not over the top, it's personal. And it's better off for it. Check it out. It's better than almost any first level adventure I've read for PFRPG and its predecessors.”

--Endzeitgeist (five stars plus seal of approval)